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Message:: [QUOTE="johnmilton, post: 3599126, member: 101855"]Here are some answers to these questions of comments. The Proof coins were almost all sold as sets. The cent and nickel were one set; the silver coins were another set; and the gold was a third set. In 1909 there were three varieties of cents, the Indian, 1909-VDB and the 1909 Plain. The Indian Cent was only issued as a Brilliant Proof. To get the three cents, you had to buy three sets. That’s why the mintage for the 1909 Proof nickel is so high. To the last comment, the mint claimed that the contours of the new coin designs did not lend themselves to the Brilliant Proofing process. Therefore the mint said it could not produce those designs as Brilliant Proofs. When the new designs came on line, they were only issued as Matte Proofs. By the time the Mercury Dime, Standing Liberty Quarter and Walking Liberty Half Dollar were introduced in 1916, Matte Proof sales were very low. The mint discontinued Proof coin production because of collector disinterest. Therefore virtually no Proof coins were issued for those designs or the Peace Dollar which was introduced in 1921. Another factor was that the artists of the time did not like the “garish” brilliant Proof surfaces, which they claimed detracted from their artwork. These artists preferred the Matte Proof finish to show off their designs.[/QUOTE]